Los Padres National Forest

Authorities have been searching since last weekend for a 55-year-old hiker who went missing in the Ventana Wildnerness in Los Padres National Forest, Monterey County sheriff’s officials said Wednesday.

The U.S. Forest Service Wednesday announced plans to hold a meeting in the Big Sur area of Monterey County on Thursday for people affected by a forest fire that damaged 34 homes before it was contained last Friday.